Novel valve for aerosol vessels

ABSTRACT

A novel aerosol container valve that is an improvement over the prior art consisting of the replacement of the dip tube of a prior art dip tube with a material conveyance assembly. The material conveyance assembly comprises a manifold chamber terminating a plurality of material conveyance tubes and a manifold valve, wherein the manifold valve selects a conveyance tube to convey material for dispensing according to the orientation of the aerosol dispenser.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. provisional application 61/126,429 entitled Novel valve for aerosol vessels filed May 1, 2008.

FIELD

The present invention is a valve for vessels that dispense materials by aerosol sprays. The invention is a novel valve that permits the vessel to be inverted and still spray.

BACKGROUND

An aerosol dispenser is a sealed pressurized container that releases materials in a fine spray mist when a valve button located on the top of the container is depressed.

Almost every kind of liquid and gas is dispensed by the more than three billion aerosol dispensers used annually. One of the most widely dispensed materials is paint. When applied correctly, aerosol paint leaves a smooth, evenly coated surface, unlike many rolled or brushed paints.

Standard sized aerosol dispensers are portable, inexpensive and easy to store; they are the epitome of convenience. However valves found in aerosol containers are deficient in that the container must be hold in highly restricted positions to dispense properly. Otherwise the dispenser will fail to emit spray.

Clearly what is needed are aerosol valves that permit dispensers to be used in more convenient ways.

OBJECTS

According to the need for a better valve for aerosol vessels, herein is disclosed a novel valve that as a first object permits an aerosol vessel to be used in any position, even inverted.

Another object of the invention is an aerosol valve that is easy to manufacture and inexpensive to make.

And another object of the invention is an aerosol valve that is simple and reliable.

Other benefits and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made in details of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

SUMMARY

In the accompanying figures and description below, a novel aerosol valve for use in a container for dispensing an aerosol is disclosed having the following components and features: (1) an actuation mechanism comprising an orifice insert, an actuator, a stem, valve, valve cup, spring cup, spring, valve housing and (2) a material conveyance assembly having a valve that selects from a plurality of tubes corresponding to orientations of the vessel.

The invention may be described as an improvement over the prior art consisting of the replacement of the dip tube of a prior art dip tube with a material conveyance assembly. The material conveyance assembly comprises a manifold chamber terminating a plurality of material conveyance tubes and a manifold valve, wherein the manifold valve selects a conveyance tube to convey material for dispensing according to the orientation of the aerosol dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates the general principles of operation of an aerosol dispensing vessel.

FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C depict the operation of an actuating mechanism for releasing aerosol from a pressurized container.

FIG. 2A shows the components of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate the principles of operation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aerosol Vessels

FIG. 1A shows the general structure and operation of an aerosol vessel. The following description does not restrict the invention to the structure and operation shown and described.

Typically, a vessel consists of a container having a actuator 1010 on top. The container holds a gas 1520 under pressure and a material 1530 that is to be dispensed. At the bottom of the container one generally finds a “pea” that, when agitated, prevents coagulation of the material. When the actuator 1010 is depressed the gas 1520 forces the material 1530 up into the dip tube 1080 and out the vessel as a spray.

Details of the Actuator

FIG. 1B shows the actuator in detail and FIG. 1C shows the actuator when depressed. In FIG. 1B, the following components are illustrated:

1. 1011 an orifice insert though which the aerosol is sprayed

2. 1010 the actuator which is depressed

3. 1012 the stem through which the aerosol is sprayed out

4. 1013 a gasket

5. 1014 actuator valve

6. 1015 the valve cup for sealing the actuator in the vessel

7. 1016 spring cup for engaging the spring

8. 1017 spring

9. 1018 actuator housing

10. 1080 dip tube

When the actuator 1010 is depressed, the actuator valve is pressed downward permitting aerosol to pass outward as shown in FIG. 1C.

An Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 2A-2C illustrate an exemplary embodiment having the actuator mechanism shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C.

In FIG. 2A, the exemplary embodiment is shown with the actuator 2000 described above and a material conveyance assembly 2094 including a plurality of material conveyance tubes 2092, 2098 and the dip tube 2080 terminating thereupon. The material conveyance assembly 2094 forms a chamber including within a cylindrical valve 2086 having conical ends. Aerosol flows into and out of the material conveyance assembly 2004 as dictated by the position of the valve 2096.

FIG. 2B shows the operation of the exemplary embodiment when the dispenser is in a normal orientation. In this orientation the valve 2096 blocks the openings of the tubes 2092 and 2098. Pressure forces aerosol up the dip tube 2080 and out of the vessel as described above with respect to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2C shows the operation of the exemplary embodiment when the dispenser is in an inverted orientation. In this orientation the valve 2096 blocks the openings of the dip tube 2080. Pressure forces aerosol into the tube 2098, out of tube 2092 and out of the vessel as described above with respect to FIG. 1A.

DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

The present invention has been disclosed in an exemplary embodiment. Using the teachings of this disclosure it will be expected that other embodiments may be made. Therefore the full scope and extent of the inventive concepts employed in this disclosure are most properly defined by the claims that follow. 

1. An aerosol container valve having a conveyance assembly for sprayed aerosol, comprising a manifold chamber terminating a plurality of material conveyance tubes and a manifold valve, wherein the manifold valve selects a conveyance tube to convey material for dispensing according to the orientation of the aerosol dispenser.
 2. An aerosol conveyance assembly for an aerosol sprayer, the aerosol conveyance assembly actuated by a spray valve releasing aerosol from a conveyance exit tube in fluid communications with a selection chamber containing a selection valve, the selection valve position determined by the sprayer orientation, the selection chamber in fluid communication with a plurality of selectable aerosol inputs, wherein an aerosol input is selected by the selection valve.
 3. The aerosol conveyance assembly of claim 2, wherein a first aerosol input is selected when the sprayer is upright.
 4. The aerosol conveyance assembly of claim 2, wherein a second aerosol input is selected when the sprayer is upside down.
 5. An aerosol conveyance assembly for conveying aerosol from a container through an outlet valve, the improvement comprising providing a selection chamber in fluid communications with a plurality of outputs from the selection chamber, the selection chamber containing a selection valve, the selection valve position determined by the sprayer orientation, the selection chamber in fluid communication with a plurality of selectable aerosol inputs, wherein an aerosol input is selected by the selection valve depending upon the orientation of the container. 